Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Lupo Verde
1401 T St NWNice and cozy Italian food restaurant
When restaurateur Stephen Starr armed 14th Street with a slice of pre-War Paris in spring 2013, he had an instant classic on his hands, and what seems to be a perennial, highly lauded favorite. Part brasserie, part café, part bistro, Le Diplomate is France-meets-DC. Brown butter-infused trout almondine and perfectly cooked steak au poivre – rest assured, it’s peppery – share the menu alongside chilled oysters, a famed roast chicken and ever-munchable pommes frites.
From haute fashions to casual designs for les femmes and a mélange of jackets paired with jeans for les hommes, expect a laid-back yet chic vibe and high-volume chatter to fill the vast space comfortably.
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWWhen restaurateur Stephen Starr armed 14th Street with a slice of pre-War Paris in spring 2013, he had an instant classic on his hands, and what seems to be a perennial, highly lauded favorite. Part brasserie, part café, part bistro, Le Diplomate is France-meets-DC. Brown butter-infused trout almondine and perfectly cooked steak au poivre – rest assured, it’s peppery – share the menu alongside chilled oysters, a famed roast chicken and ever-munchable pommes frites.
From haute fashions to casual designs for les femmes and a mélange of jackets paired with jeans for les hommes, expect a laid-back yet chic vibe and high-volume chatter to fill the vast space comfortably.
Dupont Circle
Drinks & Nightlife
Ghibellina
2000 Fenwick Street NortheastBest wine, picas and city wise
Pearl Dive is a palace indeed, boasting a Gulf-style bar and a dedicated fishmonger. Devotedly serving sustainable American seafood, chef Jeff Black serves highly select oysters, rotating based on freshness. Start with a dozen Black Salts on the half shell – these plump alluvial oysters are specially grown in Virginia for Mr. Black. Don’t miss the gumbos, po’ boys, grilled fish or duck confit (still waterborne, fewer gills).
137 locals recommend
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
1612 14th St NWPearl Dive is a palace indeed, boasting a Gulf-style bar and a dedicated fishmonger. Devotedly serving sustainable American seafood, chef Jeff Black serves highly select oysters, rotating based on freshness. Start with a dozen Black Salts on the half shell – these plump alluvial oysters are specially grown in Virginia for Mr. Black. Don’t miss the gumbos, po’ boys, grilled fish or duck confit (still waterborne, fewer gills).
Cork, a brick-lined sliver of a wine bar, has everything a great neighborhood restaurant should: terrific small plates (don’t miss the avocado crostini or the teres major steak with anchovy vinaigrette); a thoughtful, offbeat wine list with plenty of by-the-glass picks; and a come-as-you-are feel. Across the street, you’ll find its offshoot, Cork Market & Tasting Room (1805 14th St., NW; 202-265-2674), where you can pick up bánh mì, egg salad with goat cheese and bacon, and an array of cheeses and charcuterie.
53 locals recommend
Cork Wine Bar & Market
1805 14th St NWCork, a brick-lined sliver of a wine bar, has everything a great neighborhood restaurant should: terrific small plates (don’t miss the avocado crostini or the teres major steak with anchovy vinaigrette); a thoughtful, offbeat wine list with plenty of by-the-glass picks; and a come-as-you-are feel. Across the street, you’ll find its offshoot, Cork Market & Tasting Room (1805 14th St., NW; 202-265-2674), where you can pick up bánh mì, egg salad with goat cheese and bacon, and an array of cheeses and charcuterie.
Adams Morgan
One of DC’s early streetcar suburbs, Columbia Heights experienced a wave of development in the early 2000s. Now, it blends modern architecture (much of it holding restaurants and bars) with historic buildings both down-home and grand.
89 locals recommend
Columbia Heights
One of DC’s early streetcar suburbs, Columbia Heights experienced a wave of development in the early 2000s. Now, it blends modern architecture (much of it holding restaurants and bars) with historic buildings both down-home and grand.
Sightseeing
14th Street Northwest
14th Street Northwest
Cardozo
Point of attraction in DC.
Parks & Nature
A dramatic tiered fountain, statues of historic figures like Dante and Joan of Arc and aggregate concrete walls make this early 20th-century park feel like a slice of Europe in the middle of DC. Benches, a large grassy area and tall, shade-producing trees make it an ideal spot for relaxing with a book, a picnic with your kids or for taking a jog. On weekends, the greenspace hops with yoga-doing millennials, frisbee-throwing families and, every Sunday afternoon, an African-style drum circle. The park was designed and built between 1912 and 1940. Meridian Hill Park’s fountain is the longest cascading fountain in North America.
445 locals recommend
Meridian Hill Park
W Street NorthwestA dramatic tiered fountain, statues of historic figures like Dante and Joan of Arc and aggregate concrete walls make this early 20th-century park feel like a slice of Europe in the middle of DC. Benches, a large grassy area and tall, shade-producing trees make it an ideal spot for relaxing with a book, a picnic with your kids or for taking a jog. On weekends, the greenspace hops with yoga-doing millennials, frisbee-throwing families and, every Sunday afternoon, an African-style drum circle. The park was designed and built between 1912 and 1940. Meridian Hill Park’s fountain is the longest cascading fountain in North America.